The snowdrop is a beautiful bloom which has inspired my jewellery range.

See all my jewellery inspired by Snow Drops here 

Three interesting facts about the beautiful snowdrop

1. There are more than 2,500 varieties of snowdrop.
2. Rare snowdrop varieties are not usually easy to propagate, hence the hefty price tag in garden centres. A single bulb of the variety known as ‘Golden Fleece’ sold for £1,390 on eBay in 2015!
3. They may look beautiful, but the snowdrop bulbs are poisonous, just like the daffodils.

 

Snowdrop capsule pendant designed to contain ashes 

Legend

When snow first appeared in this world it was colourless so visited all the flowers found on earth to to gather colours. All the flowers refused, until the snow visited the sweet  snowdrop. Seeing that the snowdrop was a kind and generous soul, the snow offered her a deal. In exchange for her colour, the snow agreed to allow the snowdrop to bloom first every spring. The delicate snowdrop now cheerfully blooms through the snow each at the end of each winter taking us into the spring.

 

History

The beautiful snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) was first classified as a flower nearly 300 hundred years ago in 1753. The name ‘Galanthus’, on ancient Greek means milk white flower, while the Latin word ‘Nivalis’ means resembling snow. In the nineteenth century, snowdrops were commonly referred to as ‘White ladies’ but the affectionate term is now rarely used.

Meaning

The snowdrop is the birth flower of January and it’s most commonly said to represent:

• Purity
• Hope
• Gratitude
• Rebirth
• Sympathy

Why I love snowdrops

My own love of snowdrops stems from my childhood; I was utterly enchanted by the illustrations of Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies. I had a battered old copy of her book, and used to spend hours trying to draw my favourite, the Snowdrop fairy. When I would walk in nearby woodland I would lose myself imagining the tiny snowdrops coming to life as fairies!  

My love of this bloom continued and when we were married in February we decided to decorate the church and reception with pots of the delicate blooms, dug up from my in-law’s garden and later planted at our own home. Every winter when they appear, I am reminded of our special day.

You can read more about Snow drops at my wedding on this blog

Science

Snowdrops are members of the Amaryllidaceae family, the large family of plants that includes daffodils (Narcissus). And it’s not just a pretty face either - an alkaloid found in the flower of snowdrops, is currently approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s in several countries. Its effectiveness in treating diseases of the nervous system and in treating HIV is under study.

Snow Drop Wrap ring 

I hope this blog has deepened your knowledge and love of the beautiful snowdrop. Doo let me know why you find this bloom so very special in the comments below.

Jessica x